New Scottish dementia strategy lays out eight specific areas of emphasis

Commitments to improve support after diagnosis and hospital care for people with dementia have been made as part of Scotland’s first national dementia strategy.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison launched the strategy today at the Time Capsule in Coatbridge during a visit to the Silver Seniors activity group, which brings together people with dementia and those without.

The strategy lays out eight specific actions to support improvements in the care and treatment of people with dementia, focusing particularly on improving the support given in the wake of a dementia diagnosis and improving hospital care. It also commits the Scottish Government to continuing its support for dementia research.

In another Scottish first, new national standards of care for people with dementia are to be developed and implemented.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison said:

“The dementia strategy sets out plans to develop our first-ever national standards of care for people with dementia, ensuring they not only receive the best clinical care but are treated with respect and dignity. Our consultation told us that this is one of the challenges that people with dementia and their families face, and it is something that must improve.

“It also sets out how we plan to make staff in health and social care better at identifying people who have dementia, ensuring they get the best, most appropriate care. We know, for example, that too often a hospital patient with dementia is likely to be discharged inappropriately to a care home. The likelihood of their being able to return to their own home is vastly reduced.

“That is not always the best option, and it is frequently not what people want. The dementia strategy lays out how we expect health and social care services to change to respond to the needs of people with dementia – a group that is set to double in size by 2035.

“Around 71,000 people in Scotland have dementia and we expect that to double over the next 25 years. Not only that, this cruel illness costs an estimated #1.7 billion pounds a year.

“We have to do things differently, and this strategy is an important step on a very long road. We also have to be creative in how we work, seeking new partners like BIG – who committed #50 million earlier this year, part of which is to focus on improving post-diagnosis support for people with dementia and their families. That money will be important in improving services in future.

“We want a new era of respect, dignity and self-determination for people with dementia.”

Edward McLaughlin, Chair of the Scottish Dementia Working Group, said:

“The Scottish Dementia Working Group wanted a national strategy for some time, and were very pleased to be involved in its development. We now look forward to contributing to its implementation.

“Services have to be provided in a new way: delivered by a well-trained workforce; centred on the individual and ensuring that no one is unable to access services. We need to ensure that every person with dementia in Scotland receives the same high standard of care, irrespective of where they live. We’re optimistic that this strategy will deliver those changes”

‘Time scales have extra importance for those of us who have dementia. Sometimes we invest our effort for those who will follow. But we also want changes to happen in our lifetime.’

Henry Simmons, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland, said,

“We are pleased to have been significantly involved in the development of this strategy and we believe it marks a good start in ensuring that people with dementia and their families are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

“While we would rather see substantial new government money to support its implementation, we do recognise the current public sector funding climate – and we are pleased that BIG intend to invest their dedicated funds in post diagnostic support and early intervention. We must tackle the gaps and problems in the current care system and ensure that the right of people with dementia and their families to personalised, timely and consistent support is realised in practice.”

“We cannot afford to get this wrong. The strategy is just the start – now is the time for real action on dementia.”